Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) (22 page)

CHAPTER 43

“Well… don’t just sit there. We are ready to defeat the three of you. If we are not Legion, three major demons should be able to take down Shadow. Right?”

Legion didn’t adopt any kind of fighting position. It just stood there. Murmur looked at Astaroth and nodded at her. She nodded back. The two major demons attacked simultaneously. Legion teleported out of the way and reappeared behind Murmur. It shoved Murmur into Astaroth and watched them both fall over. Legion laughed. Nightmare finally stood.

“How the hell did you teleport without a scythe?”

“What part of ‘we are Legion’ do you not understand, moron? All three of you this time. We don’t want there to be any doubts.”

“That’s really annoying, Shadow. Stop saying ‘we’ over and over.”

Legion grinned. Nightmare helped Murmur and Astaroth to their feet and then all three of them attacked in unison. Legion countered before any of them reached it. It punched the ground and sent Astaroth, Nightmare, and Murmur flying backwards. Murmur and Astaroth hit the ground and Legion teleported to each of them and delivered a kick to the face, knocking them out. Nightmare was struggling to regain his footing and Legion appeared in front of him and delivered an uppercut to the jaw. Nightmare fell backwards and blacked out.

When Nightmare, Astaroth, and Murmur woke up, they were tied up back in their seats at the round table in the VIP room of Dragon’s bar. Shadow, Leech, and Lilith were back in their seats as well.

“Do you believe me now?”

Nightmare struggled to free himself.

“This was a trap! The three of you wanted to take our weapons!”

Leech laughed.

“Then why did we leave them locked in the chest, dumbass? We just wanted to prove our point. Legion can be created with the six of us. A legion made up of the six major demons should be powerful enough to take down the Dragon.”

Shadow nodded.

“I hope we didn’t hurt any of you too much. If any of you want to walk away, tell me now so I can destroy the legion ring and find another way. I won’t risk attacking the Dragon as Legion unless all of us are in.”

Lilith went to Nightmare with a knife. He flinched, thinking she was about to kill him, but she just cut the ropes binding his hands and feet. She then released Astaroth and Murmur.

Shadow asked them again.

“Murmur?”

“If Nightmare and Astaroth agree then I’m in. A legion made up of the six of us
could
kill the Dragon. I imagine Abaddon will fight with us against the Dragon once he is freed… if he has any strength remaining.”

“Astaroth?”

“I’m in. There’s only room for one deadly serpent in Hell and I’m tired of it being the Dragon. He goes on unchallenged and always gets his way. We’re in this mess because
he
betrayed God. Why should he command anyone? I think we’re powerful enough to end him and we should. The time has come.”

“Nightmare?”

“I don’t like being tied up.”

Lilith looked at him skeptically.

“Considering how many times you hooked up with my sisters, I doubt you have a problem with being tied up.”

Nightmare grinned.

“Fine. I don’t like being tied up after I’m knocked unconscious. I guess I just don’t like being knocked unconscious.”

“That’s not what I’m asking you, Nightmare. We had to prove a point. Are you in or should I destroy this ring?”

“Who controls Legion if all six of us are in there?”

“It’s a team effort. You’ll be able to see what’s going on and have a limited amount of control. I control Legion for the most part though.”

“And you’re only after the Dragon? I want to kill my father myself. I don’t want some legion abomination killing him.”

“Yes… the Dragon dies and then we separate. You can kill your father on your own. I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Fine. I’m still in then. Let’s do this.”

Shadow put on the legion ring and went around the able, touching each of the major demons on the shoulder.

Maybe we should add in our entire armies too, thought Leech.

No. It’s crowded enough in here. Now what part do I control…, thought Nightmare.

Nightmare found out he had control of the left arm. He moved the arm so that everyone could see it and flipped everyone off.

Focus on the task at hand and stop being an idiot, thought Murmur.

Shadow finally resumed control and Legion walked to the table. Legion picked up the key and walked over to the chest of scythes. It unlocked it.

“Cool! We like scythes!”

Wait… who is controlling Legion’s dialogue?, asked Lilith.

I think it can only say things that we all agree on. That’s why this worked better when it was just the three of us, Shadow explained.

Great. So now we basically can’t say anything. I guess we’ll be able to explain to the Dragon why he’s about to die and I guess that’s enough, added Astaroth.

Legion reached into the chest. It pulled out Dragonscale and attached it to its back. It then retrieved Damnation and Rage.

Great so we’re all set for weapons. What about armor? I don’t think we should just stick with Shadow’s armor. I think we should vote on it, thought Nightmare.

Nope. We’re sticking with my armor, Shadow responded.

Why? Nightmare countered.

It’s stronger than yours. Trust me, Shadow explained.

I don’t think it is. Let’s vote on it, thought Nightmare.

My armor is the armor of Michael the Archangel. We’re sticking with my armor, thought Shadow.

That’s all I wanted to know. I figured it was one of the Archangels. Abaddon is the son of Michael, isn’t he? asked Nightmare.

Is that really important right now? thought Shadow.

Not really. It was just bugging me. Azazel wouldn’t tell me, thought Nightmare.

“I have a headache!”

Legion clutched its head and stumbled around for a minute. Shadow finally silenced the other five and teleported to the ninth circle.

CHAPTER 44

The Dragon’s three heads looked at Legion as it appeared before them.

“What the hell are you?”

“We are Legion. We are the power of six major demons combined into one. We are here to kill you, Dragon.”

We sound mentally retarded, thought Nightmare.

Stop thinking, guys. It’s hard enough to stay in control of this abomination without the distractions, Shadow warned.

The Dragon smiled at Legion.

“And what makes you think you stand a chance of killing me? There are weapons and powers that I have hidden from the Six on purpose. Still… it has been a long time since I killed and consumed any being of power.”

The Dragon transformed into something more like a demon. Brutus, Cassius, and Judas Iscariot fell from the Dragon’s mouths unconscious. The three demons that the Dragon had been torturing, Lucian, Bifrons, and Abaddon, also appeared to be unconscious.

“The Archangel Michael couldn’t kill me. I am the all-powerful Lucifer, and I will slaughter the six of you like the back-stabbing cowards that you are!”

Lucifer swung his sword and Legion blocked it with Rage and Damnation. Legion attempted to free one of its weapons and counterstrike, but Lucifer continued to press his sword towards Legion’s face and it took all of Legion’s strength to hold him off. Lucifer pulled his sword back, spun, and sliced Legion along the neck in a small gap in Shadow’s armor.

Nightmare, go ahead and activate Rage. We need more power, thought Shadow.

Nightmare took control of Legion. He focused on everything he needed to fuel the anger-powered scythe, Rage. He focused on the cut on Legion’s neck. He focused on all the pain that his father caused him. Legion began to glow with fire, fueled by the combined rage, anger, and pain of the six major demons channeled through Nightmare.

We should be good to go, thought Nightmare.

Nightmare handed control of Legion back over to Shadow. Shadow could sense the difference in power since Rage had been activated. Legion began an assault with both Rage and Damnation, swinging at every possible opening and Lucifer had no choice but to block the incoming blows. Legion attacked too fast for Lucifer to consider any kind of counter move. Eventually, Damnation made contact with Lucifer’s cheek and drew blood. He stumbled back several paces and touched his face. When his fingers returned wet with blood, he looked mildly shocked.

Instead of panicking, he pointed his sword at Legion and spoke the words of a curse known only to him. Dragonscale sailed off of Legion’s back and into the Dragon’s outstretched hand.

“You idiots forgot that this shield is a piece of me… so I’ll be taking it back. I don’t know what you did to those two scythes, but it is ultimately irrelevant.”

Legion teleported behind Lucifer and struck but Lucifer spun in time to block the blow with Dragonscale. Lucifer landed a counter strike to Legion’s chest but his blade bounced off Shadow’s armor without leaving a mark.

“That’s impossible! There’s no armor in existence that I cannot pierce! Where the hell did…”

Realization dawned on Lucifer’s face.

“Michael. So here’s the proof that your father really was the traitor. Good to know.”

“You talk too much.”

Legion rammed Lucifer in the chest with his shoulder and kicked him in the face. It followed up the attack by striking with both Damnation and Rage. Lucifer fell over and landed on the ground. As Legion moved in for the kill, Lucifer vanished. Legion felt Lucifer’s blade strike its back. The blade was once again deflected by Shadow’s armor.

Legion attacked again but Lucifer struck at its legs and tripped it. Legion was back on its feet in seconds and attacking again, but as Lucifer continued to knock it back with Dragonscale and knock it down, the building momentum of the power brought from Rage was reset.

“Is this what the six of you want? I have unlimited power in the ninth circle. You can’t kill me and you’ve obviously acquired the power of the berserker staff. You can be killed. I can’t. Do you really want to spend the hundreds of years fighting me when it will ultimately end in your deaths?”

“You speak lies, Lucifer. Legion has drawn blood and we will continue to attack until you fall.”

Lucifer laughed.

“That may be true of Legion. I don’t think it applies to the six major demons though.”

Lucifer hit Legion in the face hard with Dragonscale. Legion fell over backwards. Before it was able to get back up, Lucifer stepped on Legion’s arm. Lucifer pulled off Shadow’s gauntlet and sliced off Legion’s fingers, including the one with the legion ring. Legion separated into the six major demons. Shadow looked at his hand and found that his fingers were still there. The damage remained on Legion. He quickly replaced his gauntlet and tossed Rage over to Nightmare.

“Get behind me and Nightmare. We can still hold him off.”

“Nope. I’ll kill all six of you and I’ve already summoned my armies on your middle demons in the upper circles. I will wipe you all out from existence for your betrayal.”

Lucifer teleported in front of the unarmed Leech and swung at his neck. Shadow didn’t make it there in time to block the strike, but another demon did. Abaddon caught Lucifer’s arm and froze it until he dropped his sword. Lucifer screamed out in pain. Nightmare teleported out of the ninth circle. Shadow thought he may have abandoned them, but he returned after a short time with the chest containing four scythes. He distributed them to the major demons.

“If shit gets bad down here, we teleport out. I don’t think he’s powerful enough to leave the ninth circle. Abaddon has been slowly freezing him down here for a long time and we haven’t been bringing him many souls to feed on… what with the war and everything. His joints have got to be pretty frozen and he’s probably weak.”

“Good call, Nightmare. Now I think it’s time you get angry again.”

“Already there.”

Nightmare screamed and his eyes turned red. He rushed in to attack Lucifer but Abaddon turned and punched him hard in the face. Nightmare went down, knocked out cold.

“Abaddon, what the hell did you do that for? We’re trying to help you!”

Abaddon turned and looked at Shadow.

“Who the fuck are you?”

Abaddon turned back to Lucifer and continued to attack.

CHAPTER 45

Muan, Gangrene, Raven, Jess, Aim, and Andras all met in Muan’s tent to plan a defense against the onslaught of berserkers, imps, and giants that the Dragon had unleashed on the upper circles of Hell. Jess and Aim initially tried to get Andras thrown out because Murmur had told them how much he wanted to kill Nightmare and Andras but Muan and Gangrene insisted that they needed all the help they could get. They also tried to find any middle demons among Astaroth’s armies, but they had all been killed in the battle with Baal’s armies. As Raven only had a few hundred in her army, she took command of Astaroth’s forces for the upcoming battle. Muan stood on his chair to look taller and assumed command.

“Andras, what can you tell us about the berserkers? You’re one of them now and you’ve fought them before.”

“They’re fueled by rage, which means they’re not very bright when they go into full on attack mode. A clever distraction could potentially keep them away from the battle. They won’t stop until all of their limbs are severed though. Taking off their head won’t be enough.”

“Jess? How’s your necromancy coming along?”

Jess pinched Muan on the cheek.

“Let me start by saying that you are the most adorable little demon I’ve ever seen.”

Gangrene chuckled and Muan shot him an angry look.

“Your necromancy?”

“I can do a bunch of minor demons at once now.”

“How many demons-in-training can you bring back?”

“No idea. Probably thousands.”

“The berserkers won’t know the difference. Summon an army of demons-in-training and that should keep them distracted. Have your army form a circle around you so you can focus on your spells. Andras, go with her. You have the most experience fighting berserkers.”

Andras left the tent. Jess looked reluctant but Aim nodded at her and she left with Andras.

“Aim, I’ve heard that your army has a lot of archers and snipers. That’s the only way we can realistically deal with the flying imps. Are they any good?”

Aim removed a coin from his pocket and flipped it in the air. He back flipped, pulled his crossbow, and took a shot. The arrow hit the coin before the coin hit the ground.

“I trained them. They’re fucking good. I’m fine with imp extermination duty.”

“Good. Head out there now and start picking them out of the skies. I’ll join you with my army shortly.”

Aim nodded and left. Muan grinned at Gangrene and Raven.

“Are you guys ok to work together? Are all of your weird fucked up issues resolved?”

Gangrene laughed and Raven karate chopped him in the throat, turning his laugh into a gagging noise.

“We don’t have issues, little guy.”

“Good. You guys get giants. I have no idea how you’re going to bring them down, but they’re slow and stupid. Slow and stupid seems like something that’s right up Gangrene’s ally and I figured I would send his… whatever the hell you are to him.”

Raven put her arm through Gangrene’s as he continued to catch his breath.

“Girlfriend.”

“Can the two of you take care of the giants?”

Gangrene was finally able to choke out a sentence.

“We got it.”

Gangrene and Raven left Muan’s tent. Muan stayed for a moment before heading out to help Aim.

“Shadow, I hope you end this soon. This is a war we simply can’t win.”

Shadow looked dumbfounded. Abaddon attacked Lucifer with his own sword while Lucifer defended the attacks with Dragonscale.

“How the hell do you not know who I am?”

Leech looked confused.

“Should we help him or stay out of his way?”

Shadow shook his head, still unable to understand how Abaddon didn’t recognize him. Was it the torture? Did he remember anything at all other than his hatred for Lucifer?

“I’ll stay down here until Nightmare wakes up. I’ll play back up to Abaddon. If he falls, I’ll take down what I hope is a weakened Lucifer. You guys need to get up there and stop the slaughter of your armies. Our middle demons are good, but not good enough to keep back all of Lucifer’s armies. Leech, Lilith, and Astaroth teleported out of the ninth circle. Murmur decided to hang back briefly.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join them? Watching your dad die might cause you to go a little… insane. Maybe I should stick around here…”

“No offense, Murmur, but if Lucifer is able to slay Abaddon… I’m the only one who stands a chance of putting him down. Don’t worry about me. Get up there and help out Jess and Aim.”

Murmur punched Shadow in the arm.

“Good luck then.”

Murmur teleported away and Shadow ran to Nightmare. As Lucifer and Abaddon fought, Shadow tried to wake him up.

“Did you finally realize that I’m not your son?”

Lucifer laughed.

“I’ve known for a long time. Your little visits to Heaven simply gave me a reason to bring you down here and torture you. Your mother wouldn’t cooperate with me anymore if I just killed you. Feigned ignorance can be a powerful tool.”

“Were you too scared to attempt to kill me? Just like you’re too scared to fight Michael ever again?”

“Scared? Fear has nothing to do with it. I needed Persephone for bearing children. She wouldn’t cooperate or would try to run away with the sirens if I killed you. All of my children, though assholes, were powerful demons. Now that all of them are dead, some of them slain by your son, it’s clear I need to end you and the rest of your line. Then I can start over.”

“I don’t have a son.”

Lucifer laughed.

“That one night I let you roam the upper circles at the request of Cain, you got a whore pregnant. Your son’s name is Shadow and he fought his way down here to save you. It’s too bad that he’ll die after I finish you off.”

Abaddon turned and saw Shadow trying to wake the demon he had punched from unconsciousness.

“I’ll leave him to deal with you then. I have more important things to address.”

Abaddon punched the ground with both hands. Ice shot from his fists in parallel paths towards Lucifer. The ice shot up Lucifer’s legs and encompassed everything but his head. Abaddon disappeared without speaking so much as a word to Shadow. As Shadow walked slowly towards the now frozen Lucifer with Damnation, Nightmare sat up and began rubbing his head.

“What happened?”

“My dad kind of... clocked you in the face and you were knocked out.”

“No one killed him yet?”

“Who?”

“Lucian. You said I could kill him.”

One of the seemingly lifeless forms on the ground began to stir. Lucian slowly got to his feet and took in the situation. He grinned.

“Perfect, Nightmare. You subdued the Dragon. Give me my scythe back and the two of us can kill Shadow.”

Nightmare started to shake at the sound of Lucian’s voice, but he stayed where he was.

“What are you waiting for? Get the fuck over here and give me my weapon! We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for ages! Where’s Abaddon? We need to kill him too!”

Nightmare glared angrily at his father but he didn’t say anything. He was still afraid, even though he had a weapon and Lucian did not. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

“No, dad. We won’t be attacking Shadow and I won’t be giving you this scythe. Don’t get me wrong, I fucking hate Shadow but I hate you
so
much more.”

Lucian laughed.

“So I raised a coward? You’re only brave enough to stand up to me when you have a weapon and I don’t?”

“How the fuck is that any different from you? You only ever beat me when you had a scythe! You’re the coward. Actually, I can prove to you that I’m better than you with everything else being equal. Shadow, give Lucian your dual-bladed scythe.”

Shadow looked stunned.

“Then what’s to stop the two of you from trying to kill me?”

“I trusted you by coming down here. I let you control Legion. Trust me this once. I hate him more than I hate you. When I kill him, you can take your weapon back.”

Lucian cut in again.

“Yes, Shadow. Give me your weapon and I’ll kill both of you. My son first and then I’ll torture you.”

Nightmare tried once more.

“Just this once, Shadow. Just trust me this once. I want it to be a fair fight.”

Shadow realized he was in the ninth circle of hell with two master liars, but he wanted to believe Nightmare. He wanted to give him the chance to take down Lucian. Deep down, it would almost feel like Shadow getting a second chance to stand up to Cain, knowing what he knew now. Shadow tossed Damnation to Lucian.